Difficult Gifts: Simplicity 2.0 Christmas Book List

Every year, there are a few people on our holiday gift-giving list who are a challenge. We travel in different worlds that barely intersect. “Oh, no problem. Get them a book,” people advise.

The thing is, even getting someone a book is fraught, especially if it’s not one you’ve read yourself. Book titles don’t always accurately describe what’s inside. Remember the great “Fear of Flying is not a phobia self-help book” debacle? Great-Aunt Mildred still hasn’t forgiven us for that one.

Part of the problem is that 2016 was such a bummer of a year. (Just ask John Oliver.) Whether it was from all the cultural icons who passed away in 2016, or the bad feelings engendered by the election, we have to say we fully empathize with those who are eager to put 2016 behind us. And, for some reason, this year’s books seem to reflect that. We just finished a couple of years’ worth of books about the centenary of World War I; now we’re seeing a whole round of books on the 75th anniversary of various World War II events, not to mention a raft of books calling our attention to various flaws in our society. Not really conducive to the joy and wonder of Christmas and other winter holidays.

Consequently, we’ve made it our job this year to help find books to give to the potentially challenging people on your holiday gift list.

The Teenage Girl. Is there a more difficult gift recipient than a teenage girl? Chances are nothing will meet her finicky standards, but the right book may lure her away from Snapchat for a few hours. Try Lab Girl, about how a young woman chose to become a scientist.

The Nerdy Nephew. You’ve always had a soft spot for him, perhaps because he reminds you of yourself at that age, but what are kids into these days? You’re safe to go with The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture. Whether he thinks Batman is Adam West or Christian Bale, this book talks about the history of Batman and how he’s changed over the decades.

The Lottery Player. It doesn’t matter how many times you explain that, statistically, buying a lottery ticket doesn’t even affect his chances of winning, there’s someone in your life who really believes that putting their birthday numbers into a lottery ticket will make them rich. Someday. But if they don’t listen to you, perhaps they’ll listen to The Perfect Bet: How Science and Math are Taking the Luck Out of Gambling.

Simplicity 2.0 is where we examine the intricate and transitory world of technology—through a Laserfiche lens. By keeping an eye on larger trends, we aim to make software that’s relevant to modern day workers, rather than build technology for technology’s sake.

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